Only Enough Skin for a Mini Tuck: May 6, 2011: Alberta, Canada

Just about to hit 8 weeks post op! Life is pretty much back to normal. Athough I was cleared to get back to the gym at 6 weeks po, I didn't have time until last week. It felt great to workout but I could feel my limitations, I do a lot of spin bike but I couldn't stand and peddle. I have to wait six months to resume any type of sit up, which is fine by me, as that is my least favorite exercise area!

I have yet to sleep on my side either, I am a fetal position sleeper normally but even with pillows under my legs, it is not comfortable. One really positive difference I have noticed after the TT is that I do not wake up 3 or 4 times in the night to pee!? That is a great extra bonus for me.

I have little to no swelling at night and just concentrating on healing my TT scar.

I still struggle with the stretchmarks. I bought two bikinis but not sure if I will have the guts to wear them. The more time that passes and the flatter my tummy gets, the more noticeable they are. Not sure if I will try and get anything done about that, as there seems to be no treatment that works to drastically improve their appearance.

5 Weeks Post-op: What a difference! Since my last post, I can't believe the improvement in how I feel. I am standing up straight (finally), the tightness from the muscle repair is totally gone. My scar is healing very well and I have such a flat tummy! I do still experience end of the day swelling but its very minimal. I have lost 6 pounds of muscle mass since the surgery, so I am looking forward to getting back to the gym but waiting for the go ahead from my PS next week. It's been a long 5 weeks with many emotional days but I know that resuming my exercise will complete the healing process for me.

Post op 4 weeks: I have recovered from last weeks nasty cold but I am sure that set my healing back a week with all the coughing and sneezing. I was so afraid that my muscle tightening would somehow be weakened or damaged. I haven't had a cold in so long, but with reduced immunity from surgery I couldn't fend off the virus that was being passed around our home.

I have been driving my kids to school and running errands since week two and there was no hiding that I had surgery, especially from school moms, so I have been answering a lot of questions. I found out one other Mom had a TT two years ago and a few others want to have it done but after seeing me walking, they thought it looked too painful, haha.

I returned to work four days ago; even though I sit at a desk, I still found it tiring.

Walking is easier but I have to be careful not to walk too quickly or with long strides (I am usually a very fast walker), so this is a challenge. If I do, I am quickly reminded with a twinge or strained feeling in my lower abdomen that I need to slow down or shorten my stride, yes body, I am listening.

I am now sleeping in bed with my husband but still on my back with pillows under my knees and a neck rest - oh fetal position, I miss you.

My butt is starting to look flat and I long to work out but I am just not ready yet. My next Post Op is on June 17, two weeks away.

How do I feel about my results right now? Its a definite improvement from what I started with. I still see stretchmarks, especially in the sun. Alas, I was hoping for a miracle but that is not happening. I feel this is the best result that could have been achieved in my situation. The alternative was a full TT with a long vertical scar and stretchmarks, I don't think that would have been better.

I pick myself apart and am my own worst critic. My husband thinks I look sexy and I need to be happy with that! Will I be able to shed this self consciousness and wear a bikini or will the one piece bathing suit be the only way I feel confident ... ?? Hmph.